Read More

Today the jury is set to hear evidence around Ian Stewart’s health and two people connected to him.

14:59

Court adjourned

That’s it for today. Thanks for joining us.

14:46

'He went from concerned and anxious to being abrupt and cut off'

“He also said he was taking sleeping tablets because he was having sleepless nights

“He went from concerned and anxious to being abrupt and cut off. When the police were there he changed his body language. He relaxed his shoulders. His body language was more at ease.”

Judge: “Agreed facts are wonderful.”

14:39

'She told him not to read her book'

“He explained he was having sleepless nights due to his missing partner.

“He said she had wanted to go somewhere to be on her own. He said he had had so many different talks with the police and he was getting confused.

“He talked about a book Helen had written. She told him not to read it because it was about her ex-partner. He read parts of it. Ian had lost his previous partner.”

14:37

Next statement

Next statement from Mike Anguera. Court told he met Stewart during a work placement at Jubilee House during a mental health assessment.

“I recall Ian had called into the unit because he couldn’t sleep due to his partner being missing. On arrival, I could see there were police officers at the address and they were just leaving. He invited us into the house and we went to the lounge.”

14:33

Contd

Simon Russell Flint, defending: “You say he looked old, tired and distressed? Having police there questioning him and his family.”

Dr Wenzerul: “He clearly was very distressed.”

14:30

Body in Scotland

Next witness: Dr Alison Wenzerul, consultant psychiatrist, was asked to assess Stewart on May 6. Stewart made a self-referral.

“I was told this was a slightly unusual situation.

“We saw Mr Stewart at the outpatient unit. He said that she [Helen] had disappeared and on the day she’d disappeared he had been due to get some dressings changed. She was in a very anxious state about driving a car. He said there was a message about needing some space and time.

“He said there had been an occasion where police had discovered a body up in Scotland and had been in touch because they thought it could be Helen, but it wasn’t. He was very distressed about that.”

14:26

'Should I cancel holiday?'

“He also said he had a holiday booked. Should he cancel it or not?

“He seemed dismissive of the idea she couldn’t survive without accessing her bank account.

“He said she had plenty of cash.

“He came across with no evidence of anxiety or depression. He gave no indication on an emotional level of distress about Helen being missing. There was just nothing at all.”

14:24

Next witness

Next witness: Julie Phipps, team leader social worker

“He had been referred to us for anxiety. I didn’t initially think there was anything wrong and was initially dismissive because Helen had not been found.

“We were met at the front by Ian and went through to the living room. Ian sat in a single arm chair.

“I do recall Ian said the police had wanted to search the house again and he had refused.”

14:22

Increased medication

Next doctor (missed name) is giving evidence: “I can see my first dealing with Ian Stewart was a request for a telephone conversation. During this consultation Ian discussed with me his partner had gone missing.

“He asked if it was normal not to be able to remember anything when in shock. I said he should follow the prescription.

“Ian mentioned the police were due to meet him. My next interaction was May 18, 2016. Ian had called asking for a consultation. I called him back. He said he had been given medication. Would increased medication help him sleep?

“Ian stated he had no side effects while being on this medication so I decided to increase medication. The last time in June 2016. I received a request for a telephone conversation. He said his sleep was still poor and he wanted to know if he could increase his medication. He referred to Helen as his partner and never went into anything further. I recall he did seem panicked but I put this down to police being there. “

14:19

Contd

“On April 21 he was prescribed beta blockers. He was a normal man and nothing about him gave me cause for concern.”

14:13

Next witness

Next witness: GP Matthew Jarvis

“I’m a partner at Ashwell surgery. I’ve been a GP since 1996. I see patients every day. The last time I saw him [Stewart] was June, 18 2015 which was an assessment for hemorrhoids. In April 2016, Mr Stewart said he was having regular interviews with the police. He didn’t want a sedative like diazepam. Mirtazapine in mid-range dose was given. It is my practise to tell patients to take it at night.”

13:09

Lunchtime

The court has adjourned for lunch. The blog will be running again in approximately an hour.

13:02

Green bed spread

Mr Russell Flint, defending: “Had he just made the bed or changed the sheets?”

Ms Puebiosa: “I understood he had changed the bed.”

Mr Russell Flint, defending: “How good is your English?”

Ms Puebiosa: “I understand a little but he used to speak clearly for me. Helen used to do that as well.”

Mr Russell Flint, defending: “I think you noticed Helen had a number of t-shirts which were stripey?”

Mr Russell Flint: “Do people often tidy up before you come to the house?

Ms Puebiosa says she wouldn’t know.

12:48

Contd

Prosecution: “The light green bed spread was usually on the bed. Not there that day?”

Ms Puebiosa: “No - only the eiderdown.”

12:46

'He told me not to change the bedding'

Ms Puebiosa: “He told me not to change the bedding because he had already done that. Mrs Helen’s clothing [was upstairs on wash basket] some of her clothes like t-shirt, trousers all on top of the basket.

“There was never any clothes on top of the basket. She would put it in the basket.

“There was bedding drying in the dining room. Clothes usually dried in the dryer.

“Mr Ian had made the bed. I don’t know whether it was freshly done but it had been done. “

12:41

'He was normal'

Regarding, April 13, 2016, Ms Puebiosa said: “I got there a bit late about 11am. Mr Ian answered the door. He was normal, speaking normally.”

A text message is read out to the court that Stewart sent to Ms Puebiosa: “Hi this is Ian from Baldock Road. Are you coming today - ok if you are not coming Helen is away. That is why I am contacting you.”

Ms Puebiosa: “I asked if it was alright if I did the cleaning. He said it was alright.”

12:34

Next witness

Next witness: Vania Puebiosa, cleaner at 45 Baldock Road, Royston

Court hears she used to clean at the house before Helen and Stewart moved in. She normally worked there on a Wednesday. In 2014, her hours of work changed.

12:18

'I thought it wasn't very long to be worried'

Ms Faillettaz: “When he said the Friday, I thought it wasn’t very long to be worried.”

Mr Russell Flint, defending: “Could you have got the dates wrong?”

Ms Faillettaz: “If that’s what’s in my statement, I don’t see why i would have said that.”

12:04

Contd

“It was quite a dry wound and it had nearly healed. I was with him 15 minutes at the most.”

12:03

Next witness

Next Witness: Healthcare assistant Caroline Faillettaz.

The court hears that on Monday, April 18 she was working at Bassingbourn Surgery covering a routine redressing of wounds.

At 9.41am Ian Stewart arrived for 9.45am appointment.

Ms Faillettaz: “I introduced myself. He sat down on the couch. He seemed upset. I said don’t worry I haven’t started yet in a jokey way. He said my partner went missing on Friday.

“I wasn’t sure at that point whether his partner was male or female. I didn’t really engage with him. It was quite a small wound. It was covered with a dressing.”

11:56

Answer

DC Stewart: “It would all have been logged.”

11:55

'Could there have been an alternative activation?'

Mr Russell Flint, defending: “We know Mr Stewart had been to Cambridge to watch a bowls match and had got a Chinese meal. On the 11th, having been activated in the morning, it’s not activated again until the evening. It’s not used at all. When it’s left empty, the alarm is activated?”

DC Stewart: “Yes”.

Judge: “You mention it could be activated with a pin code. Could there have been an alternative activation?”

11:51

'Was it Stewart's?'

Mr Russell Flint, defending: “Jamie Stewart says he was first up and deactivated the alarm. You can associate tag 7 with Mr Stewart?”

DC Stewart: “Based on the information I had to compare, that was the best association yes.”

11:49

Fob 7

Mr Trimmer: “Behaviour allowed you to associate each fob with each member of family. Fob 7 seemed to be Ian Stewart’s.”

11:47

Alarm

DC Stewart: “From memory, April 11 [the alarm] had no real usage during the day. Only some in the morning and again in early evening. It didn’t correspond with people leaving the house. Other days it’s going on and off.”

Mr Trimmer, prosecuting: “Next activation in the evening. No other record. It’s unclear what time if any Helen Bailey left the house?”

DC Stewart: “No record at all. They could have gone out without setting the alarm.”

11:44

House alarm

The court hears about the workings of the house’s alarm system.

The tags are given to the owner of the alarm. The only way to tell who is using which fob is to look for a pattern of activity to see whose use is consistent. Alarm was in constant use.

11:41

'Never saw them argue'

Mr Priest says Stewart has a private pension from his employer.

He said he had never seen Stewart argue with Helen.

“It was a big intensive search and Ian was worried about things being broken. He had just had enough of it. She had originally inherited the business. I just thought there were contractual problems she needed to sort out.”

Next witness: Detective Constable Lee Stewart.

11:34

Myasthenia gravis

Simon Russell Flint, defending: “After April 11 you were told they were planning to get married? It was a secret - other people needed to be told?”

Mr Priest: “It was a secret.”

Mr Russell Flint: “Myasthenia gravis and other issues. You knew Mr Stewart had collapsed before and was unable to work. The house itself had not had much done to it?”

Mr Priest: “It was a lovely house but it needed some work done to it. Helen liked decorating.”